Jan 7 1963
From The Space Library
U.K. sent television signals across the Atlantic for first time via RELAY I communications satellite. Signals sent from Coonhilly Downs to Nutley, N.J., were described as “very good” and “extremely clear”; they were also clearly received at ground station of Italian space communications agency Telespazio in Fucino. (Reuters, Chicago Trib., 1/8/63)
USAF launched Thor-Agena D space vehicle from Vandenberg AFB Missiles and Rockets reported NASA Goddard Space Flight Center was studying Mariner B and Voyager projects to determine if the center could acquire management responsibility for all or part of these planetary projects, study having been initiated at request of NASA Hq.. Unnamed Hq. spokesman pointed out that JPL is now responsible for all NASA unmanned lunar and planetary programs and has heavy workload with Ranger, Surveyor, and Mariner R projects; Goddard may be asked to perform major subsystem work in Mariner B and Voyager, perhaps leading to eventual overall direction of the projects.
Moscow Radio said U.S. astronauts “become bourgeois exploiters [of the people] in their own right,” but the Russian people had “profound respect” for U.S. spacemen, who needed “no little bravery” To let themselves be launched in rockets “whose reliability is highly dubious” (Reuters, Balt. Sun, 1/8/63)
Soviet Chief Marshal of Aviation Konstantin Vershinin was quoted as saying that, air-launched missiles had become basic form of weapon for Soviet aircraft, replacing bombs. (Av. Wk., 1/7/63,25)
USAF Minuteman ICBM fell short of its planned range flight from Cape Canaveral, and USAF was conducting study to determine cause of the advanced Minuteman's malfunction. This was second flight of new, more powerful Minuteman model. (DOD Release 25-63 ; AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 1/8/63)
United Technology Center made first U.S. test-firing of cluster of large segmented solid rocket motors. Four rocket motors consisting of six segments each were fired for 14 sec., producing 140,000 lbs. of thrust. Test was to demonstrate techniques for ignition of clusters “which appear applicable to the simultaneous ignition of clusters of solid booster rockets production. (AV. Wk., 1/14/63,33, Wash. Eve. Star, 1/14/63 33)
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center awarded preliminary, 90-day contract for development of variable-thrust RL-10 rocket engine to Pratt and Whitney Aircraft. The hydrogen-powered engine rated thrust and be capable of restarting in space. Throttleable RL-10 engines had been test-fired in feasibility studies at Pratt and Whitney plant and NASA Lewis Research Center. (Huntsville Times, 1/8/63)
Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of NASA MSFC, visiting West Berlin’s Technical University to receive honorary doctorate, said: “I am convinced personally that the Russians will not succeed in making a manned space flight to the moon and back before the Americans. The Russians now could send a man to the moon but that would be a one-way trip.” (Newport News Times-Herald, 1/12/63)
